Holiday happenings in the Fox Valley

If you are looking to get into the holiday spirit, you're in luck this weekend. Here are some local events to check out.

Festival of Trees and Holiday Market: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at the Lake in the Hills Village Hall, 600 Harvest Gate. Help Santa ring in the season with the Festival of Trees. Join him for a snack, activities and a photo opportunity. Stop by the Holiday Market to shop from various vendors, specialty items, artists and crafters. www.lith.org.

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train Tour: Stops at 9:45 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2, by village hall, 14N042 Reinking Road, Pingree Grove. Holiday train features decorated rail cars, entertainers, special guests and includes a modified boxcar that has been turned into a traveling stage for performers. Bring nonperishable food item for Northern Illinois Food Bank. (847) 464-5533 or pingreegrove.org.

Geneva Christmas Walk: 6-9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, State and Third streets, Geneva. Santa Lucia arrives with Santa to light the Great Tree on the courthouse lawn and to open the Gingerbread House. Live Nativity, roasted chestnuts, strolling carolers, the first candy cane of the season, and holiday shopping. Free carriage rides on Dec. 3-4. (630) 232-6060 or www.genevachamber.com.

Geneva Christmas House Tour: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Self-guided tour featuring five homes decorated for the season. Holiday Tea will be located at the First Congregational Church, 327 Hamilton St. Advance tickets $30; call the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, (630) 232-6060 or www.genevachamber.com. Tickets can be mailed or picked up at the tea either day.

A Very Merry Huntley: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3, in downtown Huntley. Friday at municipal complex with horse-drawn trolley rides with pickups at Municipal Complex and Huntley library; Kriss Kringle Market, tree-decorating contest and kids games from 3-8 p.m. and visit with Mrs. Claus from 4 to 6 p.m. On Saturday at First Congregational, 11628 E. Main St., indoor farmers market and craft fair from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., church choir's cookie walk from 9 a.m.-noon, free kids crafts 10 a.m.-2 p.m., visit with live reindeer 10 a.m.-noon, and free Handbell Choir concert at noon. On Saturday in Town Square, Merry Maskers strolling carolers, free hot chocolate and horse-drawn trolley rides from 3:30-5:30 p.m., Christmas Tree Decorating contest winners at 4:45 p.m., and Santa arrives on fire truck at 5 p.m. for lighting of Christmas tree. Bring camera for photos with Santa in the gazebo. www.huntley.il.us.

Winter Fest: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18, Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Holiday lights, decorations, a bonfire, winter treats for sale. On weekends, Santa visits from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; hayrides from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and face painting; live reindeer Sundays. Purchase your tree Friday to Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. at the front of the zoo. All proceeds help benefit the zoo. All activities included with zoo admission ($3.25, $4 for nonresidents; free for under age 2), except hayrides, $2 per person, and face painting, $3-$5. www.dtpd.org.

Cary Holiday Walk and Tree-Lighting: 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Jaycee Park, off Silver Lake Road in Cary. Lighting of the Jaycee Park Holiday Walk, including visits with Santa and his live reindeer and ice skating (weather permitting). Free. (847) 639-6100 or www.carypark.com.

Fox River Grove tree-lighting ceremony: 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Algonquin Road School, 975 Algonquin Road, Fox River Grove. Featuring pictures with Santa, live music, cookies, and activities. www.foxrivergrove-il.org.

Homes for the Holidays House Tour: 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Northeast Neighborhood Association's walk features six festively decorated houses in the Douglas/Spring/Brook Street area. Advance tickets are $15 or $10 for ages 10-18; $20 day off. Registration will be noon-5 p.m. at Advocate Sherman Center Street Atrium, 901 Center St. in Elgin. Park in the Advocate Sherman South side parking lot at Slade and Center streets, across from the tour registration. Stop by craft house from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at 808 Douglas Ave. or the warming house from noon-6 p.m. at 1005 N. Spring St. Ticket and registration information are available at www.NenaofElgin.org and www.facebook.com/NENAofElgin/.

Northside Brass concerts: 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 at Elgin History Museum, 360 Park St., and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Northside Brass quintet performs holiday favorites. Free. Snacks and drinks available. northsidebrass.com.

Algonquin's Holiday Rock on the Fox: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Riverfront Park, 201 N. Harrison St., Algonquin. Annual tree-lighting ceremony, visit with Santa and Friends, family activities, and holiday music. Free admission. Toys for Tots donation bins available for new unwrapped toys. www.algonquin.org.

Holiday in the Hollow: 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Sabatino Park, Sleepy Hollow. Visit with Santa, tree-lighting, carols, hot cocoa with Sleepy Hollow Service Club. Bring a nonperishable food item or monetary donation for FISH Food Pantry. www.sleepyhollowil.org.

Downtown Elgin Window Wonderland: 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in downtown Elgin. 18th annual event holiday market, pictures with Santa, storytime with Mrs. Claus, Santa's live reindeer, carolers, Operation Gratitude Letter Writing and Letters to Santa, tree-lighting ceremony and more. www.downtownelgin.com or www.cityofelgin.org.

Pingree Grove tree-lighting celebration: 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Pingree Grove Police Station, 1 Police Plaza. Santa will make his appearance at 4:45 p.m.; photos with Santa, outdoor movie, miniature train rides, crafts, music, food, drinks, silent auction and a North Pole mailbox to mail letters to Santa. www.villageofpingreegrove.org.

Holiday Tea: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Elgin History Museum, 360 Park St. Featuring North Side Brass. Along with cookies, drinks and other holiday treats, enjoy singing carols and holiday songs with pianist David Nelson. Free admission. www.elginhistory.org.

"Tis the Season to be Jolly": 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Rakow Branch Library, 2751 W. Bowes Road, Elgin. From 1-2 p.m. enjoy "Music in the Stacks" with the Festive Singers, an a cappella quartet. They perform traditional and contemporary holiday favorites. From 2-3 p.m., crafts, snacks and pictures with Mrs. Claus. gailborden.info.

Bethlehem Marketplace: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Christ United Methodist Church, 9009 W. Algonquin Road in Algonquin. See how people lived in Jesus' time. Children can participate in activities: jewelry making, rope braiding, leather projects, weaving, bread baking, and more. There will be tax collectors, Roman soldiers, beggars, wise men, and the Nativity. It is free and open to the public. For information, call (847) 669-9009 or visit www.gocumc.org.

Christmas Concert: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Judson University Herrick Chapel, 1151 N. State St., Elgin. Free. Chorus, orchestra and special guest. www.judsonu.edu.

Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Festival: Noon to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, downtown Cary. 15th annual parade steps off at 1 p.m. at West Main Street. Sleigh rides, petting zoo, pony rides and entertainment. carygrovechamber.com.

"Songs of the Season": 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, Huntley High School Performing Arts Center, 13719 Harmony Road. Sun City Prairie Singers winter concert. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. $10, $3 for age 2-12. sccah.com.